Hi! ‘Reading challenges’, are a great solution to a solitary journey. Instead of closing a book and that’s it, wonderful bloggers take time to host a variety of themes. I pick the ones that match my collection, with fun incentives to choose titles I already own.
I skip the ones that are scavenger hunts or über specific. I want to freely dig into my tastes, without word games pointing in odd directions. I notice I have enough on hand for the groups below. The postal topic, hostessed by a Canadian, was too unique to pass up. A few of the 40+ circles I’m in require subject matter that will take a bit of squeezing on my part: such as historical fiction, old children’s stories, and ‘chunkster’ (if I decide to do it). But a bit of a squeeze, as long as it comes from my private library, is part of the point and I’ll feel great about achieving it.
1. BLUE or shades (Turquoise, Aquamarine, Navy).
2. RED or any shade (Scarlet, Crimson, Burgandy).
3. YELLOW or any shade (Gold, Lemon, Maize).
4. GREEN or any shade (Emerald, Lime, Jade).
5. BROWN or any shade (Tan, Chocolate, Beige).
6. BLACK or any shade (Jet, Ebony, Charcoal).
7. WHITE or any shade (Ivory, Eggshell, Cream).
8. OTHER colours (Purple, Orange, Silver, Magneta).
9. IMPLIES colour (Plaid, Paisley, Shadow, Light).
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“Blue Fire” Phyllis A. Whintey 1961
“Red Fox And His Canoe” Nathaniel Benchley 1964
“The Case Of The Golden Boy” Eric Wilson 1994
“Green Apple Street Blues” Ted Staunton 1987
“Copper Sunrise” Bryan Buchan 1972
“Black Amber” Phyllis A. Whitney 1964
“Time For The White Egret” Natalie Savage Carlson 1978
“The Mystery At Lilac Inn” Mildred A. Wirt 1930
“The Secret Of Shadow Ranch” Mildred A. Wirt 1931
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1. Up / down or equivalent.
2. Something in your kitchen.
3. Party or celebration.
4. Fire or equivalent.
5. An emotion.
6. Lost / found or equivalent.
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(1) “Copper Sunrise” Bryan Buchan 1972
(2) “Green Apple Street Blues” Ted Staunton 1987
(3) “Dancing Feathers” Christel Kleitsch 1985
(4) “Blue Fire” Phyllis A. Whitney 1961
(5) “Uncertain Voyage” Dorothy Gilman 1967
(6) “The Foundling Fox” Irina Korschunow 1982
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~Postcard Level~ Review 4 with a postal theme.
~Real Mail Level~ Review 8 with a postal theme.
~Parcel Post Level~ Review 12 with a postal theme.
“Mystery In The Pirate Oak” Helen Fuller Orton 1949
Involves priceless stamps and how the earliest ones worked.
“Ghost Town Treasure” Clyde Robert Bulla 1957
A small post office is featured and a diary guides the story.
“The Haunting At Cliff House” Karleen Bradford 1985
The most integral information derives from a diary.
“If You Grew Up With Abraham Lincoln” Anne McGovern 1966
Describes the origins of the post office.
“Street Of Riches” Gabrielle Roy 1955
One of the stories is entirely told through letters and postcards.
“The Secret” Carol Beach York 1984
There is letter communication, although not prevalent.
However a hand-delivered note might have caused this story’s pivotal death.
“Never Call It Loving” Dorothy Eden 1966
Critical political bill-drafting and even invisible ink between lovers, drive a riveting real life story.
“The Sign Of Four” Arthur Conan Doyle 1890
Notes and telegrams are how everyone communicated in the 1800s. This tale was born from game-changing letters and journal notes left by a lady’s Father.
I choose ‘Postcard Level‘ of this very original theme, about “epistolary fiction”: novels in the form of letters, diaries, or e-mails. Also accepted are non-fiction on letter-writing and any story incorporating a post office or mail.
Wow, you have taken on a LOT of challenges! So glad you found mine and thought it was a unique theme ;) Great choices on the postal theme!
Thank you so much! It doesn’t always happen but I find it an honour, when a circle’s hostess takes a look at your entry. I believe I’ve reached 8 in your thought-provoking theme! I’ll write those 2 reviews soon.
I’m giving serious thought to hosting. I hope the difference I provide is noticeable, from the usual mystery, paranormal, and word games.